Making a cross-country move from Chicago to Los Angeles is a logistical nightmare for most people.
One of the most difficult decisions that you'll have to make during your move is whether to ship your car or drive it. The 2,000 miles that separate Chicago and Los Angeles are daunting for even the most adept drivers out there. Shipping is certainly the path of least resistance, but figuring out how to ship a car can feel daunting in its own way.
That's why we're here to help you today. In this post, we're going to give you a car shipping guide that makes car shipping from Chicago to Los Angeles a breeze. Keep reading and we'll help you tick one huge item off of your cross-country move to-do list.
How Do I Ship My Car from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Before you ship a car from Los Angeles to Chicago or vice versa, you need to find the right car shipping company. There are numerous Illinois car shipping companies, so you need to know how to separate the wheat from the chaff, as it were.
Take the time to research a variety of different companies that do auto transport in Chicago. Start by looking at online reviews, as you can learn a lot from what each company's previous customers are saying. If there are any red flags about how they handle cars or their customer service, you'll find out through reviews.
Look at experience and licensure as well. All automotive shipping companies need a USDOT number, as well as a motor carrier number issued by the FMCSA.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Once you've narrowed down your selection to a few of the best companies, start getting California car shipping quotes. At Nexus, we make it incredibly simple to calculate the cost of shipping your car. Just use our car shipping calculator right on our home page.
How much your shipping costs will depend on a number of factors. The size and value of your vehicle play a role, as do the timing and location of the pickup and delivery, the type of trailer you want your car in, and how far the shipment is going.
Do You Need to Insure Your Car for Shipping?
Another thing to look into is the type of insurance that the carrier has and whether or not it's included in the quote. All of our quotes factor in the cost of insurance, so you know there's nothing that we're trying to hide.
Insurance is important because it covers any potential damages that might occur while the vehicle is in transit. Always read the fine print to find out whether or not your car insurance policy is listed as primary. Most carriers have policies that cover up to $250,000 for open trailer shipments and $750,000 for closed trailer shipments.
How Long Does It Take to Ship from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Speaking of the trailer type, this is an important factor in how long it takes to ship a car. Basically, you'll be given the option of open auto transport or enclosed auto transport.
An open carrier is by far the more popular option because it's more affordable and faster. The only thing you need to consider is the fact that your car will be exposed to the elements while it's in transit.
Being flexible with your shipment times will save you money as well. If you need your car there within a day or two, or you've got a specific date that you need it delivered by, you'll need to choose expedited shipping. Our economy shipping is the cheapest option, but we offer standard shipping as well.
How Do You Prepare Your Car for Shipping?
Having made all of these important decisions, you can shift your focus to the actual shipping process. When you go with a company like ours, car shipping to Los Angeles, but you'll want to prepare your car so that everything goes smoothly.
The main thing you need to do when prepping your car is clean it inside and out. Vehicles need to be in verifiable condition before we can take possession of them, so the exterior needs to be washed. When it comes to the interior, you just need to remove all of your personal items.
Lastly, make sure that your car has between one-quarter and half a tank of gas in it. Once we have the vehicle for shipping, we'll thoroughly inspect it for damage, but you should take your own pictures as well. When you ship a car to another state, you'll be able to track it with your email and order number.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Ship from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Car shipping from Chicago to Los Angeles can be pricey, so if you want to keep the cost of shipping your vehicle down, there are a few things you can do.
First, choose an open carrier. Because we can take 8-10 vehicles on an open car hauler, the cross country car shipping rates are much more affordable. Enclosed carriers can only handle 2-3 cars, they're less fuel efficient, and deliveries take longer to complete, so they're more expensive.
With some carriers, it's going to be cheaper to avoid door-to-door shipping. Door to door shipping is geared toward making the shipping process as convenient as possible. If there are logistical problems, we may adjust your pickup or dropoff location to better suit our vehicle.
Best Way to Ship Your Car from Chicago to Los Angeles
With these great car shipping tips, car shipping from Chicago to Los Angeles will be easy. At Nexus, we're one of the country's leading auto transport companies. Whether you've purchased a vintage car online or you're making a cross-country move, we've got services to assist you.
Contact us today to learn more about how to transport a car from Chicago to Los Angeles or visit our site to get a quote for your vehicle delivery.
